Goals of Assessment in Traditional Jewish Educational Institutions
Source: Jewish Educational Leadership. Fall, 2011
There are two key issues associated with assessment in educational settings: the goals of assessment and the techniques employed in assessment. In this paper, Levi Cooper explores some of the stated goals of formal assessment in traditional Jewish educational institutions.
The 7 goals of assessment in traditional yeshivot described by Levi Cooper:
- Assessment as an entrance criterion
- Assessment as a yardstick for reward
- Assessment for semikhah certification
- Assessment as a teaching technique
- Assessment as a disciplinary measure
- Assessing students as a means of assessing the institution
- Assessing students as a means of assessing teachers
Cooper's concluding thoughts:
"Assessment can have a variety of goals and can be conducted at every stage of the learning process. Where the goal of the assessment is unrelated to the student, it is unfortunate that the student needs to be subject to the pressure examination, though this is inevitable. The goal of the assessment will undoubtedly affect the method employed. Clarifying that goal will help fine-tune the technique of assessment, and sharing that goal will communicate expectations to the student. The student will then be better equipped to meet those expectations."